that's a lot of dedication for such restrained smoking. Or perhaps you are an accessories collector...nothing wrong with that. I never fussed too much about the peripheral stuff as i am mostly in it for the pleasure of smoking alone. Hell i smoke a lot more cigarettes than i do cigars but haven't bothered with a fancy cigarette holder or lighter. I see some stuff i might like but i will probably never use if i bought, so i don't bother. If you see the way i usually dress, there's not much accessorizing going on either. I imagine a mouthpiece to hold a cigarette would be quite debonair with a Tom Ford tuxedo, however.

I knew it was only a matter of time before you chimed in with a post like this. Vintage LK.

You would love some of the vintage lighters available here. Lots of Dunhills and Aspreys in karat gold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fade to Black

that's a lot of dedication for such restrained smoking. Or perhaps you are an accessories collector...nothing wrong with that. I never fussed too much about the peripheral stuff as i am mostly in it for the pleasure of smoking alone. Hell i smoke a lot more cigarettes than i do cigars but haven't bothered with a fancy cigarette holder or lighter. I see some stuff i might like but i will probably never use if i bought, so i don't bother. If you see the way i usually dress, there's not much accessorizing going on either. I imagine a mouthpiece to hold a cigarette would be quite debonair with a Tom Ford tuxedo, however.

Yes, I have this acquisitive desire to accessorize whatever habits I have.

I'd expect Tokyo to have a grand collection of vintage lighters in precious metals, and maybe other things like cases, holders, etc. I wonder if they have some of the Dunhill by Namiki smoking stuff.

In fact, I think given the way you dress, it would be stylish to have something vaguely anachronistic like a holder.

well once you become an experienced smoker, the Monte 4 becomes a crap cigar...ha ha.

Just like I couldn't go back to drinking VSOP Cognacs once I got a bottle of Delamain Pale & Dry and started tasting the actual grape in the finish.

Speaking of Cognacs, years ago I smoked a very long-lasting cigar (probably something on the order of a Churchill) and was able to try several different cognacs during the course of it. It went so beautifully with the Remy 1738 that I could hardly tell whether I was smoking or drinking. That was a definite cigar epiphany, but shame on me for remembering the Cognac and forgetting the name of the cigar.

that's a good point Nantucket. Then again my approach to smoking, as with my approach to style and life, is to keep things as pared down, simple, and minimal as possible. The idea of having things around which I never use kind of gets on my nerves...which is why my wardrobe, accessories, and all other possessions are equally as minimal and pared down to just things that I know I need and will always use.

One more to think of is the Partagas Short. It is pretty full bodied, and very tasty, but is quite a small cigar. I have found them to be one of the most consistent marks as far as construction and draw go, which is important because you don't want to be dropping a lot of money on tight cigars. As for what to drink, in my mind an espresso is miles better than a cognac with a cigar, but tastes will vary.

Nantucket I think a good entry cigar is the Montecristo #4. Some say it is too strong for a novice smoker, but it was the very first cigar i smoked and it got me hooked for life. I find it to be medium bodied, and it is the world's best selling cigar so i think it would be a proper introduction. Also it's a quick smoke, you can down one in about 15-20 mins so no worries about time commitment. .

Same experience

NR, one thing that I would suggest is find a good store and talk to the owner/manager. people have different tastes, and it may take time for you to find yours. I happen to like thick ring gauge dark cigars, usually the shorter ones. I find that I like Nicoragiuns more than most people. I fugured out what I like by asking and trying. for the first few years I smoked cigars, I'd get a box of Monticristo 4's, and then single cigars as recomended. I tried a lot of diffent stuff, most of it crap, and found what I like.

padron 3000 is a my favorite everyday smoke. aside from that i enjoy an occasional cao brazilia or rocky patel vintage 90. cigarsinternational.com is a great place to buy smokes, especially when you're trying things out. cigar smoking, as often portrayed by the media, doesn't have to be a pompous rich man's hoby. even in this thread people are quick to talk about all these limited edition super premiums and cubans. you don't need all that. i mean i love me some padron anniversary 1926 on special occasions and i treasure that dupont xtend lighter. but it's hard to justify the cost when there are so many great cigars out there at the $5/stick.

also clubstogie.com is the styleforum of cigars. very, very informative.

padron 3000 is a my favorite everyday smoke. aside from that i enjoy an occasional cao brazilia or rocky patel vintage 90. cigarsinternational.com is a great place to buy smokes, especially when you're trying things out. cigar smoking, as often portrayed by the media, doesn't have to be a pompous rich man's hoby. even in this thread people are quick to talk about all these limited edition super premiums and cubans. you don't need all that. i mean i love me some padron anniversary 1926 on special occasions and i treasure that dupont xtend lighter. but it's hard to justify the cost when there are so many great cigars out there at the $5/stick.

also clubstogie.com is the styleforum of cigars. very, very informative.

You can get with five dollars here in Finland hmmm... nothing. Pack of cigarettes costs actually more than 5$.

I like Padron very mutch myself. Even though habanos are widely available here in Europe I try always buy also cigars made in Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Cuban cigars are great. But IMO the best cigars today are not made in Cuba. The quality of the habanos is not so good it use to be. Cigars like Bolivar, Partagas or Ramon Allones has that unique Cuban taste but the outlook of those cigars is not even closely as fine as some Davidoff or Padrons. Opus X:s, Padrons and some CAOs for example provides a great alternation to that Cuban taste.

In my opinion todays habanos are little overrated. And I would be more than happy if I could fine satisfying cigar here in Europe with five bucks.

One more to think of is the Partagas Short. It is pretty full bodied, and very tasty, but is quite a small cigar. I have found them to be one of the most consistent marks as far as construction and draw go, which is important because you don't want to be dropping a lot of money on tight cigars.

As for what to drink, in my mind an espresso is miles better than a cognac with a cigar, but tastes will vary.

Thanks for the suggestion. Any particular cigars known for being tight or having other quality issues?

The few cigars I've smoked so far have gone quite well with single malts or cognacs, but my usual Saturday afternoon espresso would be a great excuse for a Montecristo #4.